Mechanism for timing mechanical operations



June l24, 1930,

c.F. BALL MECHANISM FOR TIMING- MECHANICAL OPERATIONS 3 sheets-.sheet l Filed April 25, 1927 :(lll\\ Illll..

June 24, 1930.

c. F, BALL MEcHAN'IsM fFoR mame; MECHANICAL OPERATIONS Filed April 25. 1927 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 'ff/5-4. l'

June 24, 1930; c. F. BALL HECHANISM FOR TIMING MECHANICAL OPERATIONS md April 25. 192'/ s sham-sheet 4 JuneA 24, 1930. c. F. BALL MECHANISM Fon Trume MECHANICAL oPsRATINs l Filed April 25. 1927 5 Sheets shee't 5 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES F. BALL, OF MILWAUKEE,

Wisooisritassieivoa To CHAIN BELT COMPANY,

OF MILWAUKEE, VJISCONSIN, A COREORATION OF WSCONSIN MECHANISFIY FOR TIMXNG MECHANICAL VC)It?EIELl-YIOlWS Application filed April 2'5,

This invention relates to apparatus for timing mechanical operation. It is represented as being embodied in a batch meter devised for use in connection with machines for mixing concrete, although it is not limited to that particular use. y

The invention has for its object to produce a timing apparatus of the character indicated that may be easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled, is simple and sturdy in construction and not liable to get out of adjustment nor to excessive wear, even when used under trying conditions, such as when applied to a concrete mixing machine.

in the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side view, largely diagrammatic and with certain parts broken away and others omitted, showing a concrete mixing apparatus to which my invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a batchmeter embodying mv invention, the front plate of the casing and the parts directly carried thereby being removed, the remaining parts being represented in normal or inactive position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except that t ie parts shown are represented in their position, being there held, but ready to be released and commence to operate.

Fig. -t is a det-ail view with parts broken away, illustrating the position assumed by the parts which cause the striking of the bell, immediately before such signal is given.

Figs. 5 and 6 are reverse .or rear viewsof the parts shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and in the same positions as there illustrated.

Fig. 7 is an elevation, from the inside, of the removable face plate or cover for the batchmeter casing, and theparts immediately carried thereby.

Fig; 8 is a detail transverse sectional view through one of the shafts of the gear train between the motor and its governor, taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 10.

Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of the means for adjusting the governor of the motor. n

.10 is an end view showing theas- 1 sin within tlf,-.. i

1927. Serial No. 186,375.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line XI-XI of Fig. 5. I

Fig. 1Q is a diagrammatic view illustratingl particularly an electrically operated safety control for the machine to which the timing mechanism of the present invention is applied. 1

Many of the usual and necessary parts of a concrete mixing apparatus such as repre- I sented in Fig. 1 are not illustrated, as that View is largely diagrammatic and presented merely for thepurpose of illustrating a practical application of my invention to one niachine of well known construction.

1n the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, A indicates a rotary mixing drinn of a con*- crete mixing apparatus, B the loading skip therefor pivotally supported at and C the discharge chute through which the mixed product of the machine yis delivered. The discharge chute is represented as being of the power-driventype, and the mechanism ior controlling its movements is mounted within the casing D. Such mechanism may be like that illustrated in Patent 1,415,411 of May 9, 1922, to SainuelShafer, Jr.l It is adaptedV to bemanually controlled by a hand lever J.

E indicates the hoistinginechanism tor elevating the skip to position to discharge its contents into the mixing drum, the movements of the skip being controlled by cables F as usual. H indicates the hand lever by which the clutch, connecting the skip-hoistingmechanism with the source of power, is manipulated, and I, the hand lever for operating the brake used to control the lowering movements of the skip. K indicates, as a whole, the batchmeterV- the mechanism that times the mixing` operan tions and gives noticel when such operations have been carried on for a determined length of time; and my present invention relates to such batch meter. T he casing in which the batchmeter is located has a removable face `plate orcover 7u secured in place by bolts M, (Figs. 6 and 10).

L designates the signal mechanism,-a bell in the present instance,-operated bythe batchr eter, and giving notice that the mixp jration. has been carried en for the' determined period. These. parts are supported by a framework G and may be arranged as shown in the drawing, or otherwise, as may be found expedient, since my invention does not relate to the specific construct-ion or arrangement of these parts. The batchmeter represented herein is arranged to be set-that is, put in condition to run for a determined period of time,-manually; and to be relcased,`that is, started intoV operation when the mixing drum is properly charged,- manually, and to effect this release l find the most suitable manner of controlling the starting of the batchmeter is from the control lever for the brake that regulates the descent of the loading skip.

As'represented, the clutch control lever H is provided, or has connection with an arm 2 that is connected, by a link 3, with an arm 4, mounted on a shaft 1 of the batchmeter mechanism and preferably extending outside the casing thereof. The relative lengths of these arms, 2 and et, are such that the arm 1l is moved through an arc of about 90 as the clutch control lever is operated.

The brake control lever l is represented as provided with an arm 5 that is connected, by a link G, with an arm 7 supported by the shaft 8 mounted within the casing of the batch meter, the arm 7 being preferably outside the casing.

Arranged within the casing of the batchmeter, and preferably attached to the removable face plate /c thereof, is a spring motor 9. The specific construction of this motor is not important, so far as the present invention is concerned, and l have therefore notillus-` trated it in detail, but rather have indicated a motor of a kind commonly used in phonographs to rotate the record disks. rllhel motor 9 is provided with a governor 10 that regulates its speed, and means 29, Figs. 1 and 9, are providedY for adjusting such governor, such means being located preferably on the outside of the face plate /r and enclosed within a box or cover 30 that serves to protect them from dirt and the weather, as well as to prevent tampering with the adjusting mechanism after the batehmeter has been properly adjusted, it being understood that the casing 30 is locked or sealed after the motor has been adjusted, while the face plate lc of the casing of the batchmeter is secured in such manner that it may be removedas may be required.

The governor 10 is driven through a train4 f gearing 11, and these parts,-the governor 0, the adjusting devices 29, and the gearing rain 11,-are of common construction, eX- ept as to a detail of the gear train which will be later described, and the particular lo-` cation and protection of theadjusting means. 12 indicates the usual'screw-threaded spindle of the winding mechanism for the motor adapted to have applied thereto a removable crank N. In the use of a motor such as 9 in connection with my invention, the usual winding mechanism therefor is employed only to give the desired initial tension to the spring of the motor, and to permit this, without necessitating the removal of the face plate L", the casing is provided with an aperture through which the stem of the winding crank N may be inserted for engagement with the spindle 12. lifter the initial and desired tension has been given to the spring of the motor the winding mechanism referred to will seldom, if ever, be further used. l therefore provide a plug 31 for closing the opening in the casing opposite the end of the spindle 12.

However, in usine' a spring motor such as 9 in connection with my invention, the spring thereof has imparted to it a certain further tension. beyond that initially given through the mechanism that has been described, whenever the batchmeter is set. rlhen, whenever the batchmeter is released, as when the brake control lever l is manipulated to allow the charging skip to descend, the motor is freed and permitted to run for a period of time that is determined by the governor, and when that period has el l the motor comes to rest, the springv` thereof being still under the initial tension which has been imparted to it as described.

The motor 9 has a casing 18 enclosing the spring and supported on a shaft lll, such casing carrying at its perimeter the large gear 15 of the train 11, and being provided on its exposed face with recessed lugs 16, sce Figs. 7 and 10. Across head 17 supported on a rotatable shaft 18 has engagement with the lugs 16, so that when the casing 13 is rotated the cross head and its shaft are also turned. The engagement of the cross head with the lugs 1G is of such nature as to permittheir easy separation, permitting the face plate and the motor, which it carries, to be removed from the cross head and the other parts that are supported primarily by the back plate of the batchmeter casing. The shaft 1S car 'ies a pinion 19 that meshes with a segment 2 the hub 21 of which is loosely supported upon the shaft 1. An arm 22 is secured fast to the shaft 1 so as to turn therewith and lies close alongside of the segment 90. The end of this arm is formed into a toe 23 that is adapted to engage with a pivoteo dog 24tcarried by the segment, the supporting shaft 25 of the dog being conveniently supported in one of the radial arms or spokes of the segment. rlhe hub of the dogr24- carries a` finger 26 having rigid ,connection therewith so that these two parts moveA together. I provide friction means 27 between the hub of the dog and the side face of the spoke on which it is mounted, these means serving to hold the dog in the various positions to which it may be moved, and yet permitting it to be adjusted. from one position vto the other, as will be later de scribed. There are means, indicated at 28, for adjusting the friction means 27, as may be required.

The parts of the apparatus thus far described being .in the position indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings, which is the position of rest with the skip lowered for loading, it will be assumed that the operator shifts the clutch lever H and causes the skipt'o be raised to discharging position; at the same time setting the batch meter, through the parts 2, 3 and 4, which cause the shaft 1 to be turned and the arm 22 to move in the direction of the arrows a, Figs. 2 and 5. The pivoted dog 24 now occupies a position to be engaged by the toe of the arm 22, being moved into this position by reason ofthe engagement of the finger 26 with a lSpring 32 having suiiicient tension to throw the dog, against the resistance of the friction means27 that have been referred to, so that as the arm 22 moves from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 it turns the segment 2O in the direction of the arrow b, Fig. 2, and this in turn causes the rotation of the pinion 19 and cross head 17. The `cross head as it revolves turns the casing 13, to which casing is secured one endv of the motor spring, thus putting additional tension upon such spring. In order that the spring may be thus additionally wound, without at the same time requiring the rotation of all the elements `of the gear train 1 1 and a reverse movement of the governor 10, I modify the gear train, as compared with that usually found in the motor of a phonograph, in the following particulars. The pinion 42 that is directly engaged by the large wheel 15 of the gear train, is carried by a shaft 41, and on this shaft is loosely mounted the wheel 44 of the gear train 11. This loosely supported wheel is connected with the shaft 4l through backing spring ratchets 43 carried by the wheel 44. VThe arrangement described permits the spring of the motor to be nut under the desired initial tension through the winding mechanism of lwhich the spindle 12is a part. as has been described, and the further tension put upon the spring, as the batch meter is being set, is secured by a movement of the motor casing 13, and this is permitted, without necessitating a reverse movement of the entire train of gearing to and including the governor, by the use of the loosely mounted gear wheel 44 of the train 11.

As the parts come to the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, a projection carried by the segment 2O comes into engagement with a catch 34 which serves to hold the segment in the position indicated in these views until it is moved to release the spring motor. The projection with which the catch 34 engages may conveniently be an `extension of 4'theshaft .25 carrying the dog 24, as illus trated. The catch 34 is acted upon by a. spring 35 that holds its hooked, bevel-faced end 45 in the path of the pin 25 and yet permits the catch to yield and allow the pin to pass the end of the catch sufliciently far to be engaged by the hook thereof. An adjusting screw 36 serves as a, stop against which the heel end of the catch bears maintaining it normally in proper working position. At about the instant the catch 34 comes into engagement with the projection 25 the finger 2G of the dog 24 engages a pin 33, and `as the segment continues to move forwardly the dog is turned so as to escape the toe 23 of the arm 22, breaking the engagement between the lever H and the batchmeter. The arm may now move beyond the dog, as indicated in Fig. 3, and in practice the adjustment of the parts is such as to permit a slight overrun of the, toe 23 of the arm beyond the dog with which it engages as the lever H is manipulated. The parts are now in the positions indicated in Figs. 3 and'G. i

vWhen the skip is to be returned after having delivered its charge to the `drum A the operator moves the brake control lever I, and, through the connections 5, 6 and 7, turns the shaft 8, moving the catch Vso as to disengage the projection 25 and release the motor of the batchmeter,` which immediately begins to run. The governor 10 is adjusted to cause the motor to run for a determined period of time, say one minute, in moving the segment 2O from the position shown in Fig. 3 back to that represented in Fig. 2. This movement of the segment 2() is slow as compared with the return movement of the arm 22, which latter responds to the movement of the lever H to neutral position. This more rapid movement of the arm 22 as'compared with that of the segment carries the toe end 23 of such arm past the dog 24, but this is permitted since the latter was moved into position out of the path of the arm, by engagement with the pin 33, as has been described, and the dog remains in this position, due to the action of-the friction means 2T, until'the parts come to the position'indicated in Fig; 2, when the finger 26 comes into engagement with a spring 32 that causes the finger to be shifted and the dog to move into the path of the arm 22; the parts then beingready for the movements that have been described to be repeated.

Should, for any reason, the segment 20 return to its'initial position, represented in Fig. 2, before the arm 22 comes to its initial position, the latter may, nevertheless, be restored to its said position notwithstanding the dog'24 is now in the path of the toe of the arm 22, because thefaces of the arm 22 and dog24, which contact as the arm in its backward movementpassesthe dog, are beveled `or inclined, as indicated in the drawings,

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and the dog is held in the path of the arm by the spring 32, which will yield to permit the dog to move and allow the arm to pass and will then immediately restore the dog to position to be engaged by the arm in its next forward movement.

The segment 20 carries a pivotcd trigger 87 adapted to engage with the end of the striker rod 40 of the bell L. As the segment approaches the end of its reverse movement, as indicated in Fig. 4, the trigger comes into engagement with the end of the rod 40 and forces it downwardly. At the same time the trigger is tilted and its end 46 comes into engagement with an inclined cam plate 88 over which itslides as the segment completes its movement. The cam plate acts to shift the trigger on its pivot 39, until finally it escapes from the end of the rod 40, as indicated in Fig. ,2, and the release of the latter causes the bell to be struck in a well known manner. This gives an alarm, indicating that the batchmeter has completed its movement and that the mixing operation within the drum has been carried on for the determined period of time. The operator may thereupon shift the discharge chute C to position forthe delivery of the mixed concrete from the drum A.

In my Patent 1,608,831, dated November 30, 1926, I illustrate, Vdescribe and claim automatic electrically operated means that will tend to prevent the operator of a concrete mixing machine from moving the delivery chute to a position to discharge the contents of the mixing drum before the batch therein has been mixed for the prescribed length of time as determined by the batchmeter.

In Fig. 12 of the accompanying drawings l have illustrated how the method of control described in my aforesaid patent may be adapted to and used in connection with a batch meter or timing device such as illustrated and described in this case. Referring to said Fig. 12, 47 designates, diagrammatically, the magneto of the ignition system of t-he motor that drives the entire mixing apparatus. This is located in a circuit 48 that includes a contact 49 in proximity to the power operated mechanism located within the casing D for controlling the movements of the discharge chute C. On the main shaft 50 of such mechanism is located a circuit closer 51 adapted to make engagement with the contact 49.

`The circuit wires 48 leadpto the batch meter where the circuit is broken, there being terminal contacts 52 and 53 to which the two separated parts of the circuit wires are respectively. connected. A switch 54 is arranged to close the circuit 48 at the break in the casing of the batch meter by bridging the opening between the contacts 52 and 53,

or to open the circuit at this point accord- .ingly'as the movable element of the switch 54 is-adjusted. It will be seen from this description and by reference to Fig. 12 of the drawings that the circuit 48 is broken at two places, at the discharge chute and at the batch timer.

Flach branch of the circuit is provided with ground connections indicated at 55 and 56 respectively, so that when both the breaks in the circuit that have been described are closed the magneto 47 will be short-circuited or otherwise rendered ineffective so as to kill the engine and stop the entire apparatus, and this situation will occur should the mechanism for the discharge chute be operated to move the chute into delivery position during the time being measured by the batch timer.

The movable element of the electric switch 54 is a rod 57 slidable within a casing that may be secured to thebottom of the casing of the batch meter. The rod is provided with an insulating section 59 upon which one of the terminals, 52 or 53, rests when the rod is in normal position-that is to say, when the batch meter is not in operationand spring 60 acting upon the rod 57 tends to move it in the direction of the arrow e and into the position just stated. Mounted upon the shaft 8, alongside the catch 34 and pinned or otherwise secured to such shaft so as to turn with it, is an arm 6l, the end of which lies opposite the end of the rod 57. A projection 62 extending laterally from the arm lies behind the heel of the catch 34.

63 indicates a pivoted dog the pointed or toe end of which is adapted to enter a notch 64 in the rod 57 and hold it when moved toward the left, Fig. 12, during the time that the batch meter is in operation. The dog is acted upon by a spring 65 that holds it in working engagement with the rod 57 of the switch.

The hub 21 of the segment 2O is provided with an extension 66 adapted to act upon the dog 63 as the batch meter completes its movements and the segment 2O comes to normal position, indicated in Figs. 2 and 5.

The parts just described operate as follows: Before the drum A is charged the discharge chute C is moved to inactive or nondiscliarging position, this resulting in the circuit 48 being opened at the contact 49; Upon the batch meter being released from its set position, indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, the switch rod 57 is operated and closes the break in thecircuit at the batch meter. This is accomplished when the shaft 8 is oscillated through the action of the brake control lever I moving the arm 61 secured fast thereto -in the direction of the arrow f, Fig. 12, andl this movement, through the projection 62, tilts the catch to release the batch meter and, by direct engagement with the end of the rod 57, also shifts the latter and closes the circuit between the contacts 52 and 53. l yThe dog 63 holds the rod in the position to which it is moved and maintains the circuit closed until the batch meter has completed its movement, at which time the extension 66 of the hub of the segment 2O moves the dog 63 to release the rod, whereupon the latter is moved by the spring to normal position. Should the discharge chute C be moved into delivery position, during the time the batch meter is in operation and the circuit 48 closed at the batch meter, as has been described, the circuit will also tnen be closed at the contact d making a completely closed circuit that will short-circuit the magneto or otherwise lrill .the motor, and thewhole apparatus being timed will come to a standstill, giving notice that the discharge chute has been moved to delivery position before the mixing operation has been completed. y

It will be seen from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, that the timing device, after being once set and released, cannot be reset, nor the gear segment stopped in its travel until the timing device has returned to its initial position, where the dog 24: is moved to permit resetting of the timing mechanism. But, until the dog is so moved, andthis does not take place until the timing device has completed its movement, the resetting cannot take place, nor can the movement ot the timing device be stopped.

Vhile I have shown an arrangement in which the timing device, upon being set, is caught by the catch 34 andheld until delinitely released, some of the features of my invention could be utilized and a practical device result without the use of a catch, the return movement of the segment 2O beginning immediately upon the movement of the dog 2a to disengage the end of the arm 22.

What I claim is:

l. A timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus, comprising an enclosing casing having a removable face plate, permitting access to the interior of the casing, a spring motor secured to the face plate so as to be carried thereby, signal mechanism and mechanism driven by the motor `for operating the signal mechanism arranged within the enclosing portion of the casing, and means operated from the apparatus whose movements are to be timed for winding the spring motor prior to each operation of the timing mechanism, connected with the mechanism within the casing which is driven by the motor,- and easily separable connections between the motor and the driven mechanism in the enclosing portion of the casing permitting ready separation and replacement of the face plate of the casing and the parts carried thereby, as may be desired, Without otherwise disturbing the apparatus.

2. In combination, a timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers or other apparatus whose operations are to be timed,

and means 'for setting the timing device, comprising a part that is moved by the apparatus tombe timed, a second part that is connected with the timing device, a detent between the two parts through which the ii'rst part moves the second, the said detent being constructed to remain in the various positions to which it may beadjusted until positively moved by extraneous means, means for adjustingv the detent to apposition to cause the first part to move the second when moved in one direction arranged to operate when'the parts come to normal or inactive position, and other means to move the detent to disconnect the said iirst and second parts to permit the second part to move without imparting motion to the irst part or engaging with the said detent.

, 3. In combination, a timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers or other apparatus, means for setting the timing de'- vice, comprising a part that is moved by the apparatus to be timed, a second part that is connected with the timing device,and a detent between the two parts through which the first moves the second, means'tor adjusting the detent to a position to cause the` first part to move the second when it moves in a forward Vdirection in order to set the timing device, means operating when the parts come to position to set the timing device arranged to move the detent to position'topermit the first part to move in either direction without imparting motion to the second part, and a catch for holding the second part after it has been moved by the forward motion ot the iirst part to position to set the timing device. v

4. The combination stated in claim 3,. in cluding manually operated means for moving the catch to release the said second part, permitting the timing device to function.

5; A timingv device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus, including a motor, a gear segment connected with the motor to be driven therebypsignal means operated by the gear segment, an arm concentrically supported with reference to the gear fsegment and arranged to be moved from thel apparatus to be timed, a detent constituting a connection between the arm and segment, ,means for moving lthe detent to break said connection and to permit the arm to overrun the movement of the segment and to return to its initial position independently of the return movement ot the segment, and means for restoringthe detent'tov position to be engaged by the arm on the lreturn movement of the segment located to operate the detent as the segment reaches the initial or normal position.

6. A timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus, including a spring motor, a gear segment connected with the motor to be driven thereby,

signal means operated by the gear segment, an arm concentrically supported with reference to the gear segment and arranged to be moved from the apparatus to be timed, a pivoted dog carried by the segment arranged to be engaged by the end of the said arm when the latter moves in a forward direction, to set the timing device and put its operating spring under tension, means for moving the dog to release the arm as the segment comes to its forward position, permitting the arm to return independent-ly of the return movement of the segment, a catch for holding the segment in its advanced position, manually controlled means for releasing the catch and permitting the motor to operate and return the segment, anda spring located in position to operate when the segment returns to its initial position for restoring the dog to position to be again engaged by the arm on its next forward movement.

7. A timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus, including a spring motor, a gear segment connected with the motor to be driven thereby, a signal having a striker rod, a trigger element carried by the gear segment adapted to engage with and move the striker rod as the segment is moved in one direction by the motor, and a cam with which the trigger engages arranged to move the trigger and cause it to release the striker rod and permit the signal to be given, as the segment comes to its final position of rest.

8. A timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus comprising a motor, means for setting the motor, a free acting spring catch for holding it in set position, an electric switch arranged to open and to close an electric circuit accordingly as it is moved, means for simultaneously moving the spring catch to release the motor and for moving the switch to one position, and means for moving the switch to its other position upon the completion of the timing operation.

9. A timing device for use in connection with concrete mixers and other apparatus comprising a motor, means Vfor setting the motor, a free acting spring catch for holding it in set position, an electric switch arranged to open and to close an electric circuit accordingly as it is moved, means for simultaneously moving the spring catch to release the motor and for moving the switch to one position, a detent for holding the switch in the position to which it is set on the release of the motor, and means for operating the detent and moving the switch to its other position as the timing mechanism completes an operation.

10. In a timing device for use in connection with a concrete mixer or other apparatus whose operations are to be timed, a part movable by the timed apparatus when the timing operation is to begin, a movable part connected with the timing apparatus for setting it to position to begin to function, a connecting device between the said parts respectively connected with the timed and the timing devices through which the former sets the latter, means for moving the said connecting part when the timing device is ready to begin to function to break the connection which it makes, and means to operate the said connecting part to restore it to connecting position, located so as to operate only when the timing device has completed its timing operation and the said movable part connected therewith comes to initial position.

ll. In a batchmeter, a motor; a gear member driven in one direction by said motor; means for controlling the speed of said motor; means actuated by a part of the apparatus the operation of which is to be timed, for moving said member in the opposite direction; means for connecting and disconnecting said last-named means to and from said gear member; and means for maintaining said gear member in set position after disconnection.

CHARLES F. BALL. 

